So, I got an email from a friend the other day. In it she said that she is doing a bible study/service with college students, in which they reflect upon a pop song and a passage of scripture. It got me thinking about how much music, popular or otherwise, has always been such a deep part of my spirituality. Even in my early years before I was a “Christian,” I can remember that songs were often vehicles that helped me reflect on things that were much bigger than my own limited view of the world.
I think, in some ways, that is why I joined a super-sized, evangelical congregation when I first converted to Christianity (or as a good Presbyterian might say, “when I finally recognized God’s calling on my life"). The music attracted me. It drew me in and helped me to experience the holy. I think this is why I continue to use popular music in the classroom. It got me thinking that one of these days, I would love to start a home fellowship/bible study where a group of closely connected friends could do this kind of thing—reflect on music and scripture—on a regular basis. When I hear all the buzz around U2charists it makes me realize that I’m not alone in this desire to connect pop culture/pop music with scripture.